A Systems Change Approach

Q: What does the Foundation consider a systems change approach to improving oral health?
A:  Oral health is an integral part of overall health and is influenced by a number of factors including an individual’s biology, beliefs, culture, social and economic conditions, and physical environments. 

Our view is that there is no single way to achieve improvements in these areas. Nonetheless, there is a common conceptual paradigm that considers the connections among the different components, plans for interaction among them, and encourages the active participation of all who have a stake in the outcome.

The Foundation considers the following strategies promising ways to attain optimal oral health outcomes at the systems level:

• Help advocates to raise awareness of oral health, its consequences, frequency, impact, and solutions
• Integrate oral health into other related Programs
• Increase Coalitions of multidisciplinary stakeholders
• Support organizations and systems that provide preventive oral health care to underserved populations.

Q: Is the Foundation changing its funding priorities?
A: Until 2009, Foundation funding had been limited to Massachusetts-based applicants. In 2009, the Foundation is working with national philanthropic groups wishing to incorporate oral health in overall health programming, and with local and state groups to promote oral health prevention programs in Maryland, Florida, and Massachusetts.  The Foundation invites grant seekers to contact us to discuss opportunities for funding within our 2009 strategic guidelines.  Please call Judith Foley, Senior Program Officer at 617-886-1466.

Coalitions

Q. We are [insert your group here] a small regional coalition focused on oral health. What kind of support might we get from the Foundation?
A.  The Foundation is a strong advocate for collaborative action. Collaborative planning efforts, while requiring time and resources, set the stage for longer-term success by providing multiple views, innovative thinking, and diverse solutions. Contact us and let us know about the kind of problems that you are trying to solve.  It may be that the Foundation can help you identify resources, explore strategies, serve as a neutral convener, or gather other resources behind national and regional efforts.

Q. What type of coalitions does the Foundation support?
A. Coalitions play a key role in providing public education and information, lobbying for legislation, educating health-care professionals, developing and implementing a state plan, and conducting research and evaluation. The Foundation is currently supporting the Better Oral Health for Massachusetts Coalition, an alliance of providers and clinicians, benefit providers, advocacy organizations, dental educators, state and local governments, and consumers. This group is currently writing an inclusive oral health action plan for Massachusetts with a targeted completion date of 2009. Coalitions requesting support are advised to undertake an environmental assessment to identify potential partners as well as supporting or competing coalitions and to provide a well thought out strategy for engagement, along with goals.

Q. What are the benefits of forming Coalitions?
A. The CDC is a strong advocate of coalitions for helping states achieve their oral health goals. A coalition can help form plans, guide program activities, and get funding. Coalitions provide their members ways to share best practices at the local and state levels. They also work to educate decision makers about the importance of oral health and strategies to decrease dental disease.
Working with other supporters, coalitions have been successful in influencing the development of positive public policy.  Getting many individuals involved in supporting oral health makes it easier for decision makers to support oral health initiatives.

Q. What are the components of an effective oral health coalition?
A. Effective oral health coalitions include diverse representation from public and private constituencies, such as:

• Related state agencies (e.g., Education, Elder Services).
• Provider organizations (dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physicians)
• Social service organizations
• Non-government organizations
• Community health centers and clinics
• Colleges and universities, especially dental colleges
• Faith-based organizations
• Businesses
• Insurance companies
• Foundations

By engaging groups that are working toward a common goal, coalitions can help a state develop effective strategies to address unmet oral health needs and eliminate oral health disparities among residents.

Awareness

Q. What does the Foundation consider an awareness program?
A. Since 2005, increasing public awareness of oral health issues has been an important Foundation focus. A key to increasing the public’s understanding is to develop consistent messaging that frames oral health as a community responsibility rather than a problem of individual behavior. A public awareness success story is the Watch Your Mouth campaign in Massachusetts, which since 2005 has provided a clear call to action for key stakeholders and decision makers. In addition, this public awareness campaign is training a network of citizen oral health advocates at multiple levels.

Grant Applicants

Q: How would I know if my program is eligible for funding?
A: Talk to us. Only requests that fall within the Foundation’s mission and interest areas are considered. Applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations. We welcome letters of inquiry for consideration.  Applicants will receive an email response to their general eligibility questions within one month of Foundation receipt. 

Requests for the following will not be considered:

• New building and endowment campaigns
• Free care clinics
• Individually owned projects
• Direct individual scholarships
• Lobbying or influencing the outcome of elections
• Expenses already incurred; eliminating bad debt
• Fundraising plans
• Replacement of public, private, indirect funding
• Clinical research
• Endowments
• Mobile programs which do not provide dental homes (i.e., ongoing and regular care for a patient population)

Q: How does my organization apply for grant funding?
A: We use an online application process with easy-to-follow steps. Applicants receive an electronic confirmation of receipt of the submitted application.

Q: As a prior grantee of the Foundation, is it likely that my eligibility for future funding will change?
A: The Foundation reviews the status of multiyear grantees on an annual basis.  We expect to continue to honor multi-year commitments based on successful grant accomplishments.

Q: How are funding requests reviewed?
A: Foundation staff thoroughly review and analyze grant requests.  External expert reviewers may participate in the review to assess community impact, program and evaluation design, and business plan analysis. Funding decisions for all applications are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Q: Does the Foundation conduct site visits as part of the review process?
A: Site visits are often part of the review process.

Q: Can an organization apply for multiple grants during one grant cycle?
A: An organization may submit more than one funding request.  Our decision-making process is based on the quality of design and proposed results, sustainability of the design, and alignment with our funding guidelines.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss potential opportunities with Program staff before submitting a grant application.

Q: Does the Foundation provide sponsorships for fundraising events?